Highlights from a Teacher's First Experience in the North

This past month, I participated in Gakino’amaage’s (Teach for Canada’s) Northern Practicum Program (NPP) at Mantou Sakahigan Kiskinamakewikamik in God’s Lake Narrows First Nation, Northern Manitoba. This unique program gives teacher candidates the chance to complete a teaching practicum in a First Nations community in Northern Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, or Saskatchewan.

As I had never been to the North, a fly-in community, or Manitoba before, I didn’t know what to expect (but that’s why I was so excited).

Here are some highlights and reflections from my experience.

The North from Above

The flight in and out of God’s Lake Narrows was exceptionally memorable. The plane flew lower to the ground, showcasing the topography of the land in a whole new way. After seeing the Red River wind its way through Winnipeg from the air, I now have a photo for my future geography classes to show what a “meandering” river is (personal win).

As urban development got further and further away – while entering Manitoba’s Frontier – I curiously observed the vast wilderness below me. While flying over frozen lakes and snow-blanketed stands of spruce and pine, I wondered what the lives of animals and plants living in these remote habitats are like. I knew that this would be my first of many trips to the North.

The “Red River of the North’s” meandering pattern is visually stunning from above.

Experiencing Canada’s Most Famous Forest

I quickly learned that Manitoba is ecologically fascinating. Here, you can find both pincushion cacti and polar bears in the same province. Learning about the variety of ecozones found in Manitoba and waking up every day in the boreal forest was a highlight in itself. While the first signs of spring were appearing in Southern Ontario, where I’m originally from, I was looking forward to ice fishing for the first time (and unbothered by messages in the family group chat about 15°C temperatures back home).

Touching the needles of Jack Pine and Balsam Fir and stopping on snowshoe trails to spot Canada Jay – that were as curious about me as I was of them – were small moments of wonder. Words can’t describe how I felt standing in the snow in my pajamas as I watched the Northern Lights dance over the tree line for the first time. My appreciation for winter has deepened exponentially.

I didn’t feel the cold when I was looking at magic like this.

Participating in Land-Based Education

Experiencing a land-based learning course, called “LandBase,” which focuses on teaching outdoor education through a Cree cultural lens, was my biggest highlight. A favourite class was observing students pulling up a gill net from under the ice to remove Northern pike, burbot, and walleye, which I got to try doing too. One of the teachers was kind enough to share some of the cooked fish with me after, which tasted unbelievably good.

In LandBase, I also had the chance to learn how to skin and prepare snowshoe hare, which was something I had never done before but wanted to try. I am so grateful for everything that I was able to learn from the incredibly knowledgeable LandBase teachers at Mantou Sakahigan Kiskinamakewikamik.

A Northern Pike that was removed from the gill net by students.

Reflecting on Teaching in Canada

Though brief (too brief!), I got to learn more about the experiences of students, teachers, and school staff in a Northern First Nations community. I’m leaving with knowledge I would have never learned anywhere else.

I strongly believe in the role educators have to play in advancing reconciliation in our country. Through growing my understanding of culturally relevant pedagogies and Indigenous education in the North, this experience was an essential part of my path to becoming a Canadian teacher.

Apart from the list of “firsts,” the warmth and generosity of the school and community is something I will never forget. I encourage any teacher candidate who wants to teach in Canada to consider completing a practicum in the North.

You can read more about Maya's experience with Teach for Canada on the Queen's University website.